From 78217c3ebd36f6a797158dc121bbdabf796fbe79 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Pasi Kallinen <paxed@alt.org>
Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2026 12:50:27 +0200
Subject: [PATCH] Allow rogues to backstab sleeping or paralyzed monsters

---
 doc/fixes3-7-0.txt |  2 ++
 src/uhitm.c        | 17 ++++++++++++++++-
 2 files changed, 18 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/doc/fixes3-7-0.txt b/doc/fixes3-7-0.txt
index 3bcb9e172..6f801ae22 100644
--- a/doc/fixes3-7-0.txt
+++ b/doc/fixes3-7-0.txt
@@ -1579,6 +1579,8 @@ light-spell is clerical, if playing a priest
 boomerang can hit multiple monsters
 the "bustling town" minetown has more peacefuls
 healers may get tiny damage increase when attacking with knives
+allow rogues to also backstab sleeping or paralyzed monsters
+rogues cannot backstab monsters that have no backside
 
 
 Fixes to 3.7.0-x General Problems Exposed Via git Repository
diff --git a/src/uhitm.c b/src/uhitm.c
index 22a6456b3..af4e8ca8a 100644
--- a/src/uhitm.c
+++ b/src/uhitm.c
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ staticfn void hmon_hitmon_barehands(struct _hitmon_data *,
                              struct monst *) NONNULLARG12;
 staticfn void hmon_hitmon_weapon_ranged(struct _hitmon_data *, struct monst *,
                              struct obj *) NONNULLARG123;
+staticfn boolean backstabbable(struct monst *) NONNULLARG1;
 staticfn void hmon_hitmon_weapon_melee(struct _hitmon_data *, struct monst *,
                              struct obj *) NONNULLARG123;
 staticfn void hmon_hitmon_weapon(struct _hitmon_data *, struct monst *,
@@ -915,6 +916,20 @@ hmon_hitmon_weapon_ranged(
     }
 }
 
+/* can monster be stabbed in the back? */
+staticfn boolean
+backstabbable(struct monst *mon)
+{
+    return !amorphous(mon->data)
+        && !is_whirly(mon->data)
+        && !noncorporeal(mon->data)
+        && mon->data->mlet != S_BLOB
+        && mon->data->mlet != S_EYE
+        && mon->data->mlet != S_FUNGUS
+        && canseemon(mon)
+        && (mon->mflee || helpless(mon));
+}
+
 staticfn void
 hmon_hitmon_weapon_melee(
     struct _hitmon_data *hmd,
@@ -942,7 +957,7 @@ hmon_hitmon_weapon_melee(
            let it also hit from behind or shatter foes' weapons */
         || (hmd->hand_to_hand && is_art(obj, ART_CLEAVER))) {
         ; /* no special bonuses */
-    } else if (mon->mflee && Role_if(PM_ROGUE) && !Upolyd
+    } else if (Role_if(PM_ROGUE) && backstabbable(mon) && !Upolyd
                /* multi-shot throwing is too powerful here */
                && hmd->hand_to_hand) {
         You("strike %s from behind!", mon_nam(mon));